Party on the World’s Fair Park lawn during Festival on the 4th.
Lucky you. You just found 865today’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events that are taking place throughout Knoxville each month.
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to this July.
Seasonal events
41st Annual Independence Day Concert | Friday, July 4 | 8 p.m. | World’s Fair Park Amphitheater | Free | Celebrate with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra under the stars.
Festivals
Foodees Food and Culture Festival | Friday, July 11-Sunday, July 13 | Times vary | Chilhowee Park | Free | Taste your way through 40+ food vendors and shop artisan crafts at this city-spanning food fest.
For the fam
Circus Under the Moon 2025 | Saturday, July 12 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Ijams Nature Center | $15+ | A troupe of local and regional performers will show off acrobatic and fire performances, aerials and silks, juggling, and more.
The Deltas- Showtime at the Plaza | 6-9 p.m. | Crowne Plaza Knoxville Downtown University | $50 | Revel in the music of this nine-piece R&B, Motown, ‘60s, and ‘70s band.
Knoxville Habitat ReStore Sidewalk Sale | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Knoxville Habitat for Humanity ReStore | Cost of purchase | Bargain hunters, this one’s for you — find treasures like 50-cent sidewalk items, discounted clothing, lighting fixtures, and more.
Throttle Fest | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | 10600 Lexington Dr. | Free+ | Check out local vendors, grab lunch from food trucks, and try to win big in a raffle.
Sunday, June 29
Old Seiver Summer Soiree Market | 1 p.m. | Hi-Wire Brewing Knoxville | Free+ | Shop from 30+ vendors selling goods like jewelry, art, baked goods, plants, and more.
Syrup ‘N Sequins Pride Edition | 12-3:30 p.m. | Pour Taproom: Knoxville | $18+ | Head to this drag brunch featuring a high energy cast of entertainers performing all of the classics.
Monday, June 30
UT Gardens Adult Camp | Monday, June 30-Thursday, July 3 | 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | UT Gardens | $260+ | Make friends and get outside with classes like plant-based mocktail making, terrarium building, and floral arranging.
After closing last week due to a rockslide and flooding, I-40 is on schedule to reopen by Fourth of July weekend. Crews are currently working on restoration, but in the meantime, drivers should use I-81 to access I-26 or I-77 in Virginia to reach North Carolina. (WBIR)
Coming Soon
A new karaoke bar is headed to South Knoxville in the former Landing House restaurant space. The Pink Cactus is slated to open by the end of August and feature several private karaoke rooms. Singing “Pink Pony Club” at The Pink Cactus? A match made in heaven. (Knox News)
Transit
Knoxville Area Transit’s planning department is proposing revisions to Route 1 and Route 16, adding new stops to serve additional areas. Take a look at the proposed changes + provide feedback via the organization’s online form.
Shop
In 2026, Nordstrom, Inc. plans to open a new Nordstrom Rack location in Knoxville. The planned store at Pinnacle at Turkey Creek will be Knoxville’s first Nordstrom Rack location, adding to the company’s four existing Tennessee stores. (WATE)
Regional
This weekend, two iconic smokestacks at TVA’s Bull Run Fossil Plant will be imploded. The implosion is part of TVA decommissioning the site + preparing it for for future energy projects. During the event, access to the site will be limited to authorized personnel only. (Knox News)
Mailbag
When you subscribed to 865today, you may have received an email asking for your favorite local restaurant — and yes, we’ve been reading every response. Reader Judy F., for instance, has several favorites: “Tuck Tuck Thai [Fusion]. Also Dead End Barbecue. Also Soccer Taco. Also Abridged[‘s] burgers.”
Sports
Vols football commit Tyreek King had a standout performance at the Rivals 5-Star Showcase. Hear what the local experts on the Tennessee Volunteers have to say about it with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Feel Good
There’s nothing quite like a Tennessee sunrise, and WBIR’s Cassie Nall shared a beautiful one via her X account this week. Have a gorgeous shot of your own? Send it our way.
Post of the Day
Local romance book truck Good Girl Books will open its first brick-and-mortar location tomorrow, June 28, at 10 a.m. On opening day, expect to find:
Giveways + free limited edition stickers
10% off a floral arrangement when you buy a book vase
Special themed donuts + a coffee truck
Plenty of romance books — including some signed copies
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Good Housekeeping named the spicy piña colada the drink of the summer, and I’m not one to turn away a spicy take on a classic. Thanks to reader Rudy F.'s mention of Soccer Taco, I’m eyeing this spicy piña margarita — not quite a spicy pina colada, but still worth a shot.
